Tom Jones

Tom Jones served as Washington and Lee’s head
athletic trainer for 33 years, providing outstanding care to
countless W&L athletes from his arrival in 1970 until his
retirement in 2003.

Jones graduated from nearby Hampden-Sydney College with a degree
in Biology in 1960. Following military service in the U. S.
Navy Air Force, he obtained a degree in physical therapy from the
Medical College of Virginia. Jones served as a graduate
assistant trainer in the sports medicine program at the University
of Virginia for the 1967-68 school year and he went on to serve as
an assistant athletic trainer at the University of Georgia from
1968-70 before being hired at W&L by then-Athletic Director
Gene Corrigan in 1970.

Jones quickly established himself as one of the top individuals
in his profession and proved a valuable member of the University
community.

Within his profession, he served as the head athletic trainer
for the North-South All-Star Lacrosse Game from 1971-77 and was the
secretary (1986-88), vice-president (1988-90) and president
(1990-92) of the Virginia Athletic Trainers Association.
During his term as Secretary, he promulgated the first VATA
Newsletter. While serving as president of the association,
Jones created a scholarship program to help students pursuing
careers in the athletic training field. He also received the
National Athletic Trainers Association’s 25-year Membership
Certificate, the Service Award and the Most Distinguished Athletic
Trainer Award.

Jones' guidance of the athletic training program has helped to
expand the staffing at W&L from one trainer in 1970 to four
staff members as of his retirement. In all, he has mentored over 50
individuals who have gone on to careers in athletic training or the
medical profession.

His influence on campus cannot be understated as well. In
1984, Jones received the Glenn Grant to conduct a study on the
effects of coeducation on the athletic programs of previously
all-male institutions. He was the first member of the W&L
athletic department ever to have received the grant. He was
also the only athletic department representative to have served on
the school’s admissions committee. His tireless work
ethic and dedication to Washington and Lee is best exemplified by
the fact that he never missed a day of work in his 33 years.